Paul Merson thinks Alexis Sanchez looks a bit lost at Manchester United right now, and admits the forward is struggling with his new club.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate, Merson claimed Sanchez is struggling to adapt to Manchester United’s system. The Chilean completed his move to Manchester back in January, but as we approach October there are still no signs that he’s on the right track under Jose Mourinho.

“He looks a bit lost at the moment but that could be confidence,” said Merson. “I can’t believe it’s nearly six months without a goal. For someone who is supposed to be that good that’s a long time as a forward.

“He’s struggling at Manchester United. They don’t make as many chances as Arsenal. Arsenal are all out attack but that’s not the way they play at Old Trafford. When Arsenal play they just go gung-ho, that’s not the case at Manchester United.

“At United, there’s a structure and they say let’s not get beat first and them go from there. That’s why I think he’s finding it difficult. At Arsenal it was free-flowing but it wasn’t successful, they didn’t win anything.”

I’m not sure which Manchester United Merson has been watching this season, but arguably they’re having just as much difficulty at the back as any other big team. They’ve already lost against Brighton and Spurs, and been knocked out of the League Cup by Derby. If their plan is to ‘not get beat’, it’s not going well.

In terms of goals conceded, they’ve let in as many as Arsenal, in the Premier League and in all competitions. Everyone knows the Gunners have had trouble at the back for a while, but it doesn’t seem like United are any better off right now.

It’s not as if Sanchez was playing much better with Arsenal anyway, in his final half-campaign at the club. He got the odd goal here and there, but didn’t look anywhere near his 2016/17 form.

At the time everyone put it down to the 29-year-old wanting a move, but now it’s looking like he’s just out of form, or struggling after a number of intense seasons. We’ll see if that ever changes, but right now Sanchez is nowhere near justifying his wages.